"I feel that people are more professional about movie making in India than in Pakistan" - Jawed SheikhHe is known as the
Amitabh Bachchan of Pakistan and when he set his eyes in Bollywood, he definitely will set a benchmark for himself. Jawed Sheikh - a man with a clear vision is all set to make his Bollywood debut with John M. Matthan's
Shikhar . Here's what he had to say in an exclusive chat with IndiaFM.
Why made you sign up for Shikhar ?I signed this movie mainly because it is John Mathew Matthan's film. He made
Sarfarosh , which was fantastic. So I was very curious and eager to do this film. Besides, the story and the character I am playing is very interesting.
Tell us about your role in the film?I am playing
Shahid Kapoor's father. It was a very interesting and challenging role for me because apart from playing Shahid's father, I am also an industrialist based in Mumbai, who due to a certain incident in life, changes his lifestyle and starts an ashram outside Mumbai.
How was it working with Shahid Kapoor?Shahid plays the role of my son in the movie. In fact, my own son is 21 and looks almost like him. I treated Shahid like my son on the sets all the time and I think, our father son relationship will look very real and appealing on the screen as well.
How about Ajay Devgan?Ajay is a brilliant actor and a fantastic human being. He has a very different and challenging role in the movie. Working with him was a brilliant experience.
Any scenes with the female actorsI had scenes with
Amrita Rao. I didn't really have any scenes with
Bipasha Basu. But all of them were very nice people to work with.
Tell us about the music of the film.My favorite song is the title track by Jagjit Singh. I also like Dheere Dheere and Fitna Dil.
How different was working in the Indian film industry?Actually, film making is basically the same process everywhere but technically, Indian films are much better than Pakistani films. Apart from that I feel that people are more professional about movie making here than back in Pakistan.
What makes the movie Shikhar unique?The concept which Mr. John Mathew Matthan had in his mind is very unique in itself. He has taken up a certain social issue which is very universal and is common in any part of the world and he has knitted it very well in the story of the film. In fact, he gives out a message from this movie and I think this is what makes it very a special movie.
Do you think that ban on the screening of Indian movies in Pakistan should be lifted?Yes, of course. I want Indian movies to be released in Pakistan. It will also help our film industry there to grow better. I believe that the ban should be lifted because people love Hindi movies there but they end watching it illegally. So I think the movies should be legally released and screened in multiplexes. And I firmly believe that it will happen soon.
What is your favorite place in India?I have been to places like Delhi, Pune and Chennai but my favorite place remains Mumbai, mainly because it has the film industry based here. Also I have many friends here and have enjoyed ever single moment being here thoroughly.
You played a role in Dus which was chopped off?I did
Dus because Nitin Manmohan was a friend of mine. So Anubhav Sinha thought it would be great to have me in that movie. I did a guest appearance in the film but due to some reasons they had to chop off my part. But I have no regrets about it as I am excited about
Shikhar in which I have a strong role.
Any future projects in India?I am doing Anil Sharma's
Apne . Besides, there is Naresh Malhotra's film called
Mausam and also another film called
Siddharth. My next release after
Shikhar will be
Rafta Rafta . I am also planning to start my own film called
Khulle Aasman Ke Niche in which I'll have Indian technicians working on the film. And also, another movie of mine called
Dil Toh Ek Hai , in which I plan to cast Indian movie stars.
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